Four (4) Angeleños treated

“Araw-araw sa apat na taon malabo po ang paningin ko. Pero ngayon po malinaw na dahil sa libreng cataract operation.”

This was the reaction of Julieta Miranda, 61, a resident-beneficiary of the free cataract operation, which is a joint project of Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. and Pampanga First District Representative Carmelo “Jon” Lazatin II.

Miranda of Barangay Sto. Domingo is one of the 4 Angeleños who successfully underwent cataract operation at the city’s partner institution last Dec. 3, 2021.

According to Miranda, if not for the free cataract operation courtesy of the Lazatin brothers, her eye condition would not have been treated.

“Marami pong salamat sa programang ito, at malinaw na ang aking paningin. Hindi na ako mahihirapan,” Miranda said, who is also one of the hired homebased mananahi under the Angeleño First facemask making livelihood project.

Francisco Carreon from Barangay Sto. Domingo is also thankful for the project, which shouldered all medical and transportation expenses.

Carreon said the project has been an instrument for him to get treated, mentioning the financial burden it will cost.

“For the past two years hindi po makapagpa-opera lalo na at may kamahalan po. Dahil po sa libreng opera, nakapagpagamot po ako,” Carreon said.

Also among the resident-beneficiaries of the successful operation are Felisa Flores of the same village and Melinda Mallari of Barangay Pulungbulu.

Further, a total of 42 patients from the city’s 12 barangays are also set to receive the free cataract operation, beginning on Friday, Dec. 10, 2021.

Just like during their initial check-up, all patients will be picked up from their homes via schedule by the staff of Gender and Development Office led by Mina Cabiles.

To recall, Mayor Lazatin’s Chief Adviser IC Calaguas shared that forms for the free cataract operation were available at the 6 Rural Health Units and 28 sub-health centers and were collected by the GAD staff for the scheduling of their initial check-ups.